New Leica M8s not incorporating upgrade---you pay extra

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sirius

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Sean Reid just posted about this upgrade. If you were to buy a new M8 it wouldn't come with the upgrade, you would still have to pay 1200 euros extra for that and have it sent away.

So, it's not as pretty as first blush...
 
So it's more like buying a new car with various options available?

20" rims vs std 18"
Sports suspension
Leather upholstery
Sat nav

etc...
 
My guess is that after August you'll have a choice of 2 M8's: The current standard M8 and M8-2 with new shutter and sapphire LCD. The key question is will they reduce the price of the standard M8 and have the M8-2 at the current price?

I'm hoping that the new firmware tomorrow will include SDHC capability - it has been indicated that it's been on Leica's firmware "to-do" list. They really can't make their "upgradable forever" claim without addressing SDHC.
 
Andy Aitken said:
I'm hoping that the new firmware tomorrow will include SDHC capability - it has been indicated that it's been on Leica's firmware "to-do" list. They really can't make their "upgradable forever" claim without addressing SDHC.
Click to expand...

SDHC support is at the hardware layer, not at the software layer. No amount of firmware upgrade will give you the capability.
 
I have a question: does this $1200 entitle you to every upgrade forever without an additional charge or does it give you the right to have your camera upgraded and after the first one you have to pay something. I can't see that being a good business model because something like a sensor change every few years will eat up that $1200 pretty fast. But if they are doing it as a gesture of good will to M8 customers then maybe it makes sense...
 
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Leica have officially stated:

"The SDHC standard is an extended type of SD standard. This takes very extensive updating of the camera’s SD driver to accommodate them. Leica is working on such updates and will supply them in future firmware versions."

Some people say its a hardware thing but Leica appear to suggest otherwise. I guess we find out soon...
 
From how I read Sean Reid's review, the upgrade will not be included in future new M8's. It will be an add-on.

Well, I love what leica lenses do. I like the bodies because they are relatively quiet and can be hand held at 1/8 second. These things keep my Leica's on par with a Canon 5D in my mind. So the upgrade is a big deal for me.

However, that I would be looking at $6700, or more when you factor shipping, duties and taxes. The M8 just starts looking more and more unreachable.

I guess I'll have to stop thinking of the M8 in comparison to the Canon 5D and more like a Hasselblad.
 
Andy Aitken said:
Leica have officially stated:

"The SDHC standard is an extended type of SD standard. This takes very extensive updating of the camera’s SD driver to accommodate them. Leica is working on such updates and will supply them in future firmware versions."

Some people say its a hardware thing but Leica appear to suggest otherwise. I guess we find out soon...
Click to expand...

Unless something has changed in the law of physics, this is pure spin doctoring.
 
I don't see how paying for the $1800 upgrade will safeguard the resale value. Consider this: if you buy a used non-upgraded M8 and have it upgraded, you'll get a brand-new shutter and 2 years warranty. OTOH if you buy one that's already upgraded you get a shutter that's had any number of actuations, and unless Leica changes their long-standing policy, no warranty. So I can't see anyone paying $1800 more for a previously-upgraded M8, therefore my advice is if you do the upgrade, do it because you want it, not for the resale value.
 
On what are you basing your position, Hacker?

The quote looks pretty straight to me; why would they need to spin? If the quote is inaccurate, it would actually be much worse than spin, it would be dishonest.
 
sirius said:
Sean Reid just posted about this upgrade. If you were to buy a new M8 it wouldn't come with the upgrade, you would still have to pay 1200 euros extra for that and have it sent away.

So, it's not as pretty as first blush...
Click to expand...

So, I guess the non-upgraded M8 has become the "lower-cost model" everybody has been saying they should make... probably not quite what you had in mind, though!
 
Hacker said:
Without support for SDHC? I'm quite shocked.
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Hacker, can you explain to me how lack of SDHC is hurting the pictures your taking with your M8?
Not trying to sound hostile, It just doesn't seem like something to be, well, shocked over.
 
yeah, cmogi, i keep a couple of 2gb cards too for rd1 which 2gb is maximum size .. for a day it is as 2-3 film rolls. probably enough for most people

ben z got me an idea. Two points with the upgrade

first : for them who want really quiter shutter
second last: when m8 shutter is blown after many shutter actuations, then you can get new, nicer, quieter shutter and 2 years warranty.

I think that future upgrades by leica give calm mind for m8 users. Think about being DSLR owner and worry or lust of every small improvements which come every month with a new camera body lol

not incorporating upgrade for m8 bodies, I see this as very nice treatment of current m8 users by leica ;)
 
Andy Aitken said:
My guess is that after August you'll have a choice of 2 M8's: The current standard M8 and M8-2 with new shutter and sapphire LCD. The key question is will they reduce the price of the standard M8 and have the M8-2 at the current price?
Click to expand...

I don't see that happening. I see the car model that has been used in some discussions on the net. There are some car companies that offer "port/dealer" installed upgrades/options.

That being said, I can see your argument. I can't see from a manufacturing aspect for Leica to have two different shutters for the M8 and offering two different models. The sapphire LCD should be part of any new M8 this year. I would hope that we would see an M8.2 with the updates as the standard M8 model. Leica could then offer the 1/8000 shutter as an upgrade for those that want the faster shutter speed over the quiet of the 1/4000 shutter. Leica then could recycle the old shutters for those that wanted the higher shutter speed.

Hopefully as this upgrade program moves forward we will see a more alacarte approach as opposed to upgrade packs. In my many years so far with digital cameras I have not had an issue with the standard LCD "glass". So the sapphire LCD has little interest for me. The quieter shutter does have some interest for me, but not enough to bite the bullet right now.

If as some have said that the new shutter will allow for a FF sensor, that changes the equation. Leica seems to be holding back on some details on how they are looking/planning for future upgrades.

Leica should be applauded for this new approach. But for it to work IMO they need to better explain any future benefits of doing the upgrade now verses down the road. They also should address those of us that joined the M8 party late. I would be more willing to join in the upgrade if the warranty was extended two years from the expiration of my original warranty.
 
The really cool thing is that these prices make sending an M2 off to CRR to have it converted to black paint M2-R specs seem positively cheap. :D
 
I'm a bit confused - but just to clarify -

I currently do not have an M8.
If I want to buy a new M8 - that new M8 will not come with the following:
What does the first upgrade kit include?

• Scratch-proof sapphire glass cover for the LCD monitor.
• Noise-optimized shutter with a fastest speed of 1/4000s.
• If so desired, the camera will be picked up at your home and sent directly back to you, without any intermediary stage in the process.
• Health-check and complete adjustment of the camera, testing all its functions.
• Installation of the newest relevant firmware.
• New factory warranty of two years covering the same conditions as for a new camera.

(I really only see three items that are "tangible" in this upgrade package - "Scratch proof sapphire glass cover", "Noise-optimized shutter" and the "factory warranty")

Yet if I want these items I have to pay, on top of the new M8, another $1800 CDN (based on conversion rates and statements about the cost of this upgrade) on top of the cost of the new M8 (cheapest price locally, $4900 CDN).

So.....it would cost me $6700 CDN for a new, upgraded M8 body.

I can buy a new M7 and a new MP for $300 more. :D (just so we all are aware of what our money can buy these days)

That said, I think I would suck it up and not buy that upgrade :D

Dave
 
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